International Development PhD/MPhil

International Development Department (IDD) research students explore a wide variety of topics in international development and public management. We offer two types of research degree: MPhil and PhD. These research programmes offer the opportunity to pursue original research under the guidance of an academic supervisor within an active research environment. In addition, training in research methods is provided and a training plan is drawn up to suit each student.

The School of Government and Society brings together academic staff, research fellows and doctoral researchers across the Social Sciences. The School is one of the leading UK and international centres for Politics, International Relations, International Development, Sociology and European Studies.

Details

IDD research students explore a wide variety of topics in international development and public management. We offer two types of research degree: MPhil and PhD.

Research areas

These include:

Conflict and post conflict reconstruction

Natural resource governance, management and livelihoods

Anti-corruption and good governance

Urban poverty and management

Religion and development

Participatory approaches

Public sector management

Decentralisation

Please see the list of staff interests below for more detailed information.

IDD is committed to encouraging new thinking in the fields of development and public management. Studying for a degree by research with IDD means being part of an active research and practitioner community that will support you in accomplishing your academic goals.

All students studying for a research degree pursue their own original research under the guidance of a supervisor and the support of another academic staff member as co-supervisor. This freedom is often attractive to people planning a career in academic or training institutions or who aim to work in policy planning units of public sector agencies.

An individual training plan is drawn up to meet the needs of each student, based on a training needs assessment, covering both discipline-specific and transferable skills. Any gaps in their own skills portfolio identified by students can be filled during their period of study through attending courses offered by the department or the University.

Entry requirements

MPhil: A good Honours degree in a relevant field, but the application may also be supported by appropriate work experience. Applicants for the MPhil degree should provide evidence of their research ability, for example, the mark received for an undergraduate dissertation.

PhD: Excellent undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Typically the latter will be a taught masters degree, including a dissertation. Normally candidates for the PhD programme will initially be offered a place on the MPhil programme and will be transferred to the PhD at the end of the first year, subject to a satisfactory review of progress.

Besides formal qualifications, a key factor determining whether the Department decides to accept a candidate for either degree is the quality of his or her research proposal and its relevance to our own interests. Successful completion of a research thesis demands a high level of self-discipline, motivation and commitment to the subject of research. Great importance is placed on work experience, when relevant. Please contact the Department for more details.

How to apply

When clicking on the Apply Now button you will be directed to an application specifically designed for the programme you wish to apply for where you will create an account with the University application system and submit your application and supporting documents online. Further information regarding how to apply online can be found on the How to apply pages

Employability

What type of career assistance is available to doctoral researchers in this department?

The College of Social Sciences, to which the International Development Department belongs, has specially designated careers advisors and careers consultants who can provide guidance for doctoral researchers on career paths, CVs, training opportunities, application and interviews. The University’s central Careers’ Service also runs workshops and offers personally tailored advice and guidance including 1-1 careers advice, 1-1 CV advice. The Career’s Service also runs CV writing workshops especially for postgraduates in the College of Social Sciences, giving advice on how to compile CVs for both employment and for academic roles.

The University also has dedicated careers advisors for International students who run workshops and networking opportunities with potential employers. These are especially popular with International postgraduate researchers.